There is nothing more the majority of the world could want more then world peace. The thought of a world united and not in a constant state of turmoil is unrealistic to say the least, especially when we fail to understand how most conflicts begin. Christianity’s adherents consist of around one-third of the earth’s population. While preaching love, grace, and acceptance through the incarnate Word-Jesus Christ; Christianity is no stranger to conflict. With a past of the Crusades, witch burning, the Spanish Inquisition under Torquemada, and Old Testament accounts of genocide, Christianity historically cannot claim that it will bring about peace anymore then Islam. Islam which claims around twenty-two percent of the world’s population is no stranger to conflict either. Non-Islamic societies often instill into its citizens minds that Islam is as far from peace as it gets. Deep in the roots of Islamic Theology is peace within its own society, of course this will come about through a theocratic-government while all citizens must be Muslims. Islam which consists of two major sects; the Shite (10-15%) and the Sunni (85-90%) have had a long history of “holy wars” in its history, reaching far beyond (in the minds of non-Muslims around the world) than any other religion in history. Can these two religions perspectives be compatible or reconciled? Do the “Co-Exist” bumper stickers hold any reasonable hope? I don’t believe so—as long as Christianity and Islam make up the majority of religious thought in the world they cannot be reconciled.
As the top two major religions in the world, Christianity and Islam hold too many of the same beliefs and worldviews. First and most importantly, they both understand the other affirms the monotheism of a One True God. Both the Qur’an and the Bible affirm that God is sovereign, merciful, caring, mighty, wise, light, exalted, and much more. The Qur’an along with the Bible both affirms the virgin birth and miracle-filled, prophetic ministry of Jesus. Christianity and Islam are both considered Abrahamic religions, deriving their history and theology from Old Testament Patriarchs and other biblical prophets. Some of these prophets/patriarchs are: Abraham, Joseph, Elijah and his successor Elisha, Job, Jonah, King Saul, King David, and Solomon the Wise. Eternal Heaven (Paradise for Muslims) and Hell are both real factors found throughout the Bible and the Qur’an. John the Baptist and Jesus, along with the Bible are considered important in Islam. Also, interesting enough, both religions claim that there will be a day of Great Judgment upon the earth.
Among the many differences Christianity and Islam share these appear to be the most important. The Bible teaches that God is knowable through Christ and reveals Himself, while the Qur’an teaches that God’s essence is not knowable and that He only reveals His will for humans. In the Bible, God invites life-transforming relationships, He is Triune (three in one), and there is an emphasis on sacrificial love. Contrarily in the Qur’an, God demands rightful obedience to commands, God is solitary in personality, and emphasizes sovereign power over sacrificial love. Christianity offers more of a “faith only” soteriology (doctrine of salvation); with some sects offering a works-based method. Islam has a solely works-based soteriology, adhering to the five pillars: belief in God, daily prayer, charity, fasting, and a pilgrimage. Muslims believe there is a book of every deed ever done and their good deeds must outweigh their bad deeds (no matter how small) and the only way to outweigh your bad and assure entrance into heaven is to become a martyr for the faith. While Christianity believes Jesus Christ to be God the Son, and the substitutionary atonement for their sins; Islam believes Jesus to be an important prophet of God who foretold the coming of Muhammad, the “another Comforter” Jesus speaks about in the Gospel of St. John. While both religions have held theocracies throughout time; Islam where it remains (along with some Eastern Thought religions) is the law of the land, the term for this is Sharia (Islamic law). As the Roman Catholic Church lost influence in Europe so it’s governing power; with Protestantism on the rise and Anglicism as the state religion of Britain—Roman Catholicism would never be a theocracy again. Christianity today seems to embrace the idea of a Biblical-theocratic-world-power, but the likelihood of this is slim anytime soon. Christians today struggle with government with regard to morality, but understand well enough that government will always be an obstacle for religion.
The relations between Christianity and Islam are tainted by misunderstanding and fear. After several attempts (some continual) of dialogue, few stand up to the test of becoming productive. In the eyes of Christians, Islam and its aggression towards the West have been devastating in the eyes of Christian culture and beckons resentment toward any communication. On the other hand, Western Civilization (representing Christianity) constantly imposes its power into the Islamic world—influencing its leaders and oftentimes overthrowing its government to raise up leaders who see eye to eye with Western society. Both have been, and still are guilty of these very things. Islam’s ideology is to create a theocracy (Sharia) wherever Islam is present, which threatens sovereign nations ruled by democracies of the majorities will. Western society is constantly involved in the Middle East: establishing bases, giving foreign aid, training governments and creating them to be dependent upon the giver (the United States). If Islam and Christianity are to stay on the path they are on currently there will be no amends or understanding. With respect to both the Qur’an and the Bible, the Qur’an’s message to its believers on human character and being a representative of God is not as moral as the Bible. The Bible preaches love, kindness, grace, and mercy on others—oddly enough on believers and non-believers. The Qur’an too preaches about charity, being a good member of society, but lacks the moral teaching of bestowing grace and mercy upon the world. This is not to suggest that Muslims are not gracious towards non-believers, but speaking in terms about the Qur’an little to nothing is mentioned about treating non-believers morally, as is the Bible.
With these fundamental disagreements between Christianity and Islam, I see it near to impossible of there ever being reconciliation between the two. With Islam’s focus on the complete sovereignty of God and Christianity on a personal, relational God; this will always come between the two. Both the Qur’an and the Bible claim divine inspiration, while both being similar in some aspects, the overwhelming differences is what will continually keep bridges among the two. As long as both sides continue in their ignorance of the others beliefs, no communication will suffice. Finally, and most importantly, the governmental aspect of each religion is inconsistent. As stated before, the Qur’an demands a theocracy, this (besides Muslims) is the only representation of God on earth and is to be taken with the utmost respect and reverence. Nations under Sharia often times stone adulators, homosexuals, prostitutes, and women who disobey their husbands on a weekly basis. The Bible though not as extreme on punishment, is guilty of the same immorality. Though “Christian” nations differ in influence and authority (Roman Catholic/Anglican/Protestantism), the toleration of abortion, gay-marriage, and racism/discrimination is a slap in the face to the teachings of the Bible. Muslims look at this as an example of why a theocracy is necessary, to hold the people accountable for their morality—to keep nations from falling away from God’s purpose and restoring God’s favor among the people. These two societies could never co-exist without serious doctrinal sacrifice, and if they were to sacrifice the legitimacy of each religion would fall and would not do any justice to their long history and traditions.
